TWO entrepreneurs are hoping to build a replica of Athens' Olympic sized swimming pool, but in the slightly cooler climes of Middlewich in Cheshire.

The £26m project would be housed in a disused 240,000 square foot warehouse on Pochin Way and would include badminton and basketball courts plus numerous other sports facilities.

Outside there will be facilities for marathons, triathlons and football pitches.

Cheshire businessman Michael Davey, from Middlewich, and business-woman Marjory Issatt, from Sandbach, both from MID Point Sports, are now awaiting planning permission for the project, funded by national sporting associations and by bank loans.

Mr Davey said: "We have every confidence that the project will get planning permission. The location is ideal and the whole community is supportive of it."